cherishing the moments and exploring my passion for creativity… through art, photography, food, and writing

Inspired by Lives and Letters

I am taking my second-ever online art class. I was so blown away by the first one I took a few months ago, that when I learned the same artist, Lendon Noe was doing another, I had to join in again.

The class is hosted by another wonderfully-talented artist, Carla Sonheim, who hosts a variety of online art classes.

Lendon (I just love her name, by the way, and especially when she says it with her adorable southern accent) is a mixed media artist, and I have learned so many different techniques and ways to really stretch my artistic talent and creative brain from her.

This class is especially poignant, because it is not just about art for the sake of art, but it is about our art telling a story.

It is about creating art that “communicates.”

It is about being inspired by the lives of those who are important to us and the letters they have written.

We’ve done some fun things with dying tissue paper and creating plaster pieces (which I’ve shared in some photos here) and then put them together in a way that creates a dialogue (at least to us in some personal way).

We then were tasked with searching for some letters that were important to us. Lendon has some beautiful letters written by her father to his mother and brother while he was serving in World War II.

Though I don’t have anything that wonderfully poignant, I was able to dig deep into my cedar chest – the same cedar chest Hubby made for me when we were engaged – my “hope chest” that still sits in our bedroom almost 36 years later – and found the very first note he ever wrote to me (one he left on my car at work with a rose asking me out on a first date before he even knew how to spell my name) and another poem he wrote to me 10 days before our wedding.

It might not look like much to you, but I was so excited to give it to Hubby as a gift that I framed it and wrapped it and presented it to him one ordinary day last week.

71 thoughts on “Inspired by Lives and Letters”

Wow Jodi, This is so precious and created with so much thought and love. What a treasure! I know that your Hubby will never ever spell uou name again incorrectly when he has that 1st note asking you out for a date within your art piece. Great word Jodi ! You are really branching out in your artistic techniques, much like my friend the plant guy! Ha Ha.

Wonderful mixed media work Jodi – I especially love the 3rd, 4th & 5th pieces, me being a colour and texture junkie! The collage you created tells a lovely personal story that will surely be treasured by many generations of your family in the future….

I can’t wait to see all of the art you produce from this class. This seems like a terrific family history project! What a treasure your creations are going to be!!! I expect to be inspired through you! Thanks!

I can see how appealing this class would be for you. You are a natural born story teller, in your words, your poems, your photographs, even your food, and especially your art work. It’s so freeing to play with tissue paper, plaster, etc and create. You are very caring and sentimental. Your piece is endearing, making it a gift to hubby for no special occaision, you make everyone feel like your best friend and you shine in bringing out the best in people you touch. Keep growing, experimenting, and mostly having fun. Even if it maynot be the creative outlet you continue, it is providing a foundation to share with your grandchildren.

Hi Jodi, I so LOVE what your created for your hubby!! ❤️❤️❤️ So special! 😍 I bet he was surprised!
I’m so happy you are enjoying the class, I knew you would excell at it! I can’t wait to see more of your creations! 😘xo

Hi Jill – not sure I am excelling at all. In fact, feel kind of awkward and UN-Artsy when I see all the other creations. Mixed media is new to me, and so cool. Mine lacks the creativity, but is filled with love. 🙂

I adore the work you have created through Lendon’s class …. but the prize has to go to the piece you made for your husband. It is not only personal and touching but also extremely exciting on the eye with all the different elements begging to be explored and yet melding together perfectly – rather like the early stages of a life-long romance which is highly appropriate ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

You are stretching your creative wings and soaring to new heights! A harmonious blend of old and new that perfectly says “I Love You”! Thank-you for sharing your fantabulous gift. P.S. The Toddler Art Critic gives “10 stars to My Jodi’s picture”, that’s all his fingers…his highest rating!

This is terrific, Jodi, and I’m sure your husband loves it. That’s what art is all about….connecting! And you are very good at it. I’m so glad you keep expanding your horizons. It has been fun watching you learn and grow as an artist, and learning to trust your own, unique vision and share it with the rest of us!

Jodi, this is WONDERFUL!!
And I am so glad that you are enjoying it.
I must admit that the story about your husband brought a tear (or two or three) to my eyes.
Such a beautiful way to remember.
Thank you for sharing, and I hope you will share more from your classes here.
Happy day to you!
xo.

I joined this class after it was over. I’m enjoying watching all the videos and plan to go back and start from the beginning. I’ve made a couple of envelopes and plan on starting the tissue dying soon. I love Carla’s on-line classes and have been doing them for years.